Eddie Martin, GAC, Interview

Blue Collar Basketball visited Greater Atlanta Christian Thursday to visit with Coach Eddie Martin after their practice. The Spartans were preparing for their upcoming game against Decatur High School.  Coach Martin is in his fourth year at GAC and 30th overall as a head coach in Georgia high school basketball. Coach Martin spent 20 years at Brookwood High School and 6 years at Norcross before being hired at GAC in 2008 after his 3rd consecutive State Championship at Norcross.  Martin is currently sitting at 613 career wins and 5 state championships heading into Friday's contest vs. Decatur.

BCB: Blue Collar Basketball
EM: Eddie Martin

1)      BCB: How did you get started in Coaching?  Always know you wanted to coach?

      EM: "No, I didn't know I always wanted to coach. When I first went to college, I had no thoughts of coaching. Then in my junior year, when you have to decide on a major, I decided to do education and I always enjoyed sports, especially basketball and baseball."

2)      BCB: Where do you draw most of your coaching influence and philosophy from?

 EM: "When I first started out, I did a lot of what my high school coach had done. As you grow, I would take bits and pieces from coaching clinics. And then just understand what works best for my team and the kids you coach."

3)      BCB: What do you like your teams to be known for? If asking your players, what would they say you are about on the court?

EM: "Two things. 1) Solid on defense, knowing how to play defense.  2) Team concept on offense. It's not a one man show and that you share the ball."

4)      BCB: How do you feel about this year’s team?

EM:  "I like this team right now. We have gotten better and really improved and I think we have a chance."

 

5)      BCB: Coaching, particularly in-season, can be very demanding of your time, how do you find balance between your job and personal (family) time?

 EM: "When the kids were younger, they would come to practice with me. They would go scouting with me. They were always a part of it. Living close to the school was also important which I had while coaching at Brookwood. Having a supportive wife who understands the time commitment it takes to try to be successful and doesn't mind me being gone is very important as well."

6)      BCB: What has been your favorite coaching memory?

EM: "There isn't just one thing. Coaching both my kids(Clint and Brent) was special, at least for me (laughs), maybe not for them. And winning the state championships, one not meaning more than any other."

7)      BCB: What do love most about Coaching? What do you dislike the most?

EM: "Competing, putting your team up against someone else's team. I'm too old to play in a men's league so that ability to compete is what I love. Dislike-the bus rides, late nights, no sleep."

8)      BCB: What attributes do you like the most and value the most in a player?

EM: "Being coachable. And having good morals - they're not going to be angels and will make mistakes. But I don't won't to deal with a bad attitude."

9)      BCB: Has your coaching style/philosophy changed over the years? If so, how and why?

 EM: "We've always been primarily a man-man defensive team, even though this year's team has played more zone. I like transition offense. Not looking for a game in the 30s, 40s even though I know some coaches might need to do that for their team. It's not as fun for the kids and fans. The biggest change over the years for me is giving more freedom in the motion offense. I don't run as many sets or continuity as we use to."

      BCB: How has Georgia HS basketball changed in your time as a Coach?

      EM: "The level of talent is a lot better and the coaching is a lot better. Georgia and Atlanta is a hotbed for college basketball recruiting."

     BCB: You've coached several high-major players and 3 NBA guys recently. What qualities do they possess that makes them special players?

     EM: "They had a combination of good ability and good work ethic. But number one, they're better kids than players. And secondly, they were all coachable-they all were probably capable of scoring 30 points a game but I don't think we had any average more than 20 or 21 points a game. They got their teammates involved."

     BCB: You coached for over 20 years had over 350, 400 wins, been to the final 4 and state championship game before you won your first state championship. What advice would you have for a coach who has been close but can't quite get over the hump?

s    EM: "Be patient, stick to your guns. It's elusive but winning that first one, it was probably more enjoyable because of how long you had to wait. To win a state championship, you have to have good players, stay healthy, and have a little bit of luck."

     BCB: Coach Martin, thanks for your time and letting Blue Collar Basketball take a peek into GAC basketball. We wish you the best of luck the rest of the season as you go for your third consecutive AA championship!

s

Sharman White, Miller Grove High School: Interview

Blue Collar Basketball was at Miller Grove's Thursday 5:30am practice. Yes, that's right, 5:30AM. Miller Grove has started the season 3-0, coming off a Tuesday OT win at SW Dekalb.  We visited with head coach, Sharman White, afterwards to learn more about the man behind Miller Grove Basketball. White came to Miller Grove in 2004 from Carver High School where he led them to a 2003-04 state runner-up finish.  Miller Grove enters this season as the favorite in Class AAAA, coming off three straight State Championships.

BCB: Blue Collar Basketball
SW: Sharman White

BCB: How did you get started in Coaching? Always know you wanted to coach?
SW: "I coached middle school for six years and was a varsity assistant at Therrell High School. I then became head coach at Carver where the team was 3-17 the year before. We lost in the state championship in 03-04.  I knew since I was a little kid that I wanted to coach."

BCB: Where do you draw most of your coaching influence and philosophy from?
SW: "I get my philosophy from John Wooden. I like John Thompson, Bobby Knight, Coach K. Tactically, I would say Wooden and a blend of a lot of different coaches. I apply it to my personality and depending on the talent of my team."

BCB: What do you like your teams to be known for? If asking your players, what would they say you are about on the court?
SW: "Defense! It's what team basketball is about. Glory is in scoring but defense embodies the team. It takes a team. We talk about having 'five on a string'. We say, 'If we score, we might win. If they never score, we never lose."

BCB: How do you feel about this year's team?
SW: "Love this team. Teams have been different. Results been the same. This senior group has endured the most. They've had a taste of it all. This team could be the most garnered team we've had here."

BCB: Coaching, particularly in-season, can be very demanding of your time. How do you find balance between your job and personal (family) time?
SW: :"One of the most challenging things. My wife tells me in a supporting way 'what you care about you will make time for'. It's a partnership - buy in from both sides. I'm big on family."

BCB:What has been your favorite coaching memory?
SW: "Most defining memory - losing state championship. Favorite memory is probably the third state championship last year. We had to overcome lot of adversity - losing Henry Brooks in the quarters."

BCB: What do you love most about coaching? Dislike the most?
SW: "It's a ministry - happen to be coaching. Being around young people. I'm very fortunate and blessed."  Dislike - "That one day when I can't do it anymore."

BCB: What attributes do you like the most and value the most in a player?
SW: "Naturally, talent. But also, the will to want to be successful. Competing, hard work, and commitment."

BCB: Has your coaching style/philosophy changed over the years? If so, how and why?
SW: "I've gotten softer - rolled with the flow of kids. Kids aren't perfect...you have to grow. It's like what Bobby Bowden said, 'the easy thing is to kick a kid off the team when he makes a mistake'. You've got to grow."

BCB: You have had the opportunity to coach some really good players here. What qualities do the good or great players posses?
SW: "The will to be the best. Don't stop till you get to the top [mentality]. And that's in every aspect."

BCB: Thanks Coach for your time and sharing with us some insight into the Miller Grove basketball program. Good luck in the upcoming season and the continued success.

Stay tuned for our next installment of Blue Collar Basketball Interviews

Tyrone Johnson, Whitefield Academy Head Coach Interview

Blue Collar Basketball stopped in at Whitefield Academy on Monday, December 5th, to check out some of the talent and visit with Head Boys Basketball Coach Tyrone Johnson. Coach Johnson has built the Whitefield program into a perennial contender for state championships at the single A level in Georgia high school basketball.  He has put together a very impressive run since 2002 with two State Championships, four State Runner-Ups, and six Region Championships in the last ten seasons.  This year's team features UGA signee Kenny Gaines. Check out what he had to say about this year's team along with his general coaching philosophy:

BCB: Blue Collar Basketball
TJ: Tyrone Johnson

BCB: How did you get started in coaching?
TJ: I was fired as a production manager and a lady at church asked me about doing some volunteer coaching.

BCB: Where do you draw most of your coaching influence and philosophy from?
TJ: A few places. How I was raised - tough upbringing - My dad expected a lot. 
Dr. Levan Parker (Central Park Christian, Birmingham, AL) - I learned that kids perform better when comfortable and kids are more comfortable when they think less. I want practices to be uncomfortable and get to players' core.

BCB: What do you like your teams to be known for?
TJ: (1) known for willingness to fight,  (2) function under duress, and (3) cerebral style of play. I want my kids to be intelligent and don't turn it off when leaving the classroom.

BCB: How do you feel about this year's team?
TJ: Talented. The upside is off the charts but not proven yet.  They need to start doing things because it is right and not because I said so.

BCB: Coaching, particularly in-season, can be very demanding of your time. How do you find balance between your job and personal (family) time?
TJ: It's pre-determined.  I set boundaries before the season starts. Secondly, the Holy Spirit. The Lord lets me know when I'm out of balance.

BCB: What has been your favorite coaching memory?
TJ: 2003(1st State Championship). The kids on that team did the impossible.  Did everything that was expected and more.

BCB: What do you love most about coaching?
TJ: Competition - see how kids grow into men.
BCB: Dislike the most about coaching?
TJ: Parents.

BCB: What attributes do you like the most and value the most in a player?
TJ: Toughness. Love of teammates.  Valor-valiant in efforts, having honor.

BCB: Has your coaching style/philosophy changed over the years? If so, how and why?
TJ: My philosophy hasn't changed. My techniques are different.  Kids have shorter attention span. I teach more of the why than just do.

BCB: How has Georgia HS basketball changed in your time as a coach?
TJ: Worse skill level. Athleticism is over-valued. More kids have mindset of "what can game do for me instead of what can I do for the game".

BCB: You've coached some great players here. What do you think makes a player great?
TJ: Number one, innate ability,  God-given ability. And then here, it's having those core values of toughness, sacrifice, love, honor, respect, and valor.

BCB: Coach, thanks for your time and allowing us to take a peek into Whitefield basketball.  We appreciate your time and wish you the best of luck this season!